Heidelberg does enough to get the win at Doyle St over Avondale FC
By Marissa Lordanic (@maridanic_)
Avondale FC remains winless in the Playstation 4 NPL Victoria in 2015, going down 1-0 to Heidelberg United at Avondale Heights Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Kenny Athiu’s 57th minute goal was enough to secure the visitors the three points.
Heidelberg started the match the better of the two teams, dominating possession and creating plenty of chances.
The home team took longer to settle into the rhythm of the game and were forced to defend numerous Heidelberg attacks.
The first real goal scoring opportunity of the game came from Heidelberg’s Andreas Govas. His free kick forced Avondale goalkeeper Frazer Siddall into a low save after almost half an hour.
Heidelberg continued to look threatening but was unable to finish in front of goal, with the half finishing at 0-0.
The opening 15 minutes of the second half were played at a frenetic pace with chances at both ends.
Kaine Sheppard’s header led to a goal mouth scramble which was eventually cleared by Avondale, while Heidelberg keeper Griffin McMaster was forced to save Jeffrey Fleming and Domenico Marafioti’s efforts.
Sheppard again came close to scoring in the 56th minute; his attempt hit the crossbar and rebounded back into play, before he was allowed another shot on goal. This time he was denied by a diving Avondale defender.
Heidelberg broke the deadlock a minute later through Kenny Athiu.
Siddall didn’t deal with a shot from outside the box cleanly and as he scrambled to collect, Athiu was allowed to poke the ball into the back of the net for his first goal for Heidelberg United.
Ten minutes later the visitors looked to double their advantage.
A free kick just outside the corner of the 18-yard-box found a diving Steve Pace at the far post with his header hitting the side netting.
Heidelberg continued to look the more likely to score but Siddall was able to keep his side in the contest, denying Govas and Sheppard with two brilliant saves with his feet to keep score to just 1-0.
Match Details
Avondale FC 0 defeated by Heidelberg United 1 (Athiu57’) at Avondale Heights Reserve [HT:0-0]
Avondale FC: 20. Frazer SIDDALL, 6. Anthony STRANO (15. Zoran PAJIC 46’), 13. Michele CRAZIA, 28. Anthony FALLONE, 27. Julien CANNIZZARO, 5. Jeff FLEMING, 17. Phil RICCOBENE, 4. Chris IRWIN, 18. Jonathan MUNOZ (9. Alex KHRAPKO 46’), 16. Jungho KIM, 11. Domenico MARAFIOTI (10. Burakhan KOCA 63’)
Unused substitutes: 1. Anthony SARIC, 19. Jason PRINCIPATO
Yellow cards: 13. Michele CRAZIA 30’, 28. Anthony FALLONE 61’
Red cards: none
Heidelberg United: 23. Griff MCMASTER, 2. Jamie CUMMINGS, 13. Luke BYLES, 17. Steve PACE, 9. Kosta KANAKARIS, 10. Jack PETRIE (3. Les DOUMBALIS 84’), 5. Daneil VASILEVSKI (20. Nejc KOLEMAN 81’), 7. Reuben WAY, 21. Andreas GOVAS, 22. Kane SHEPPARD, 12. Kenny ATHIU (8. John VOULGARIS 68’)
Unused substitutes: 1. Christopher MAYNARD, 11. Jacob Williams
Yellow cards: 13. Luke BYLES 66’
Red cards: none
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